Lesley named to President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

Lesley University has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

The distinction recognizes Lesley's leadership among institutions of higher education for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, civic engagement, and bettering communities through service.

Lesley has been named to the Honor Roll each year since the program began in 2006, and Lesley is among 690 schools honored this year.

Last year alone, Lesley students completed 6,800 hours of community service at 50 organizations, including the Cambridge Women's Center, Tutoring Plus of Cambridge, Waltham Community Farms, Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, Columbia (SC) Habitat for Humanity, and Cradles to Crayons.

“Our students not only participate in service, but they also take on leadership roles as they contribute to projects that make a positive impact in the community,” said Sarah Chafe, Lesley's Community Engagement Coordinator/Massachusetts Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA. “We are grateful to our many community partners for their collaboration and support.”

The Honor Roll is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the U.S. Department of Education.

“Communities are strengthened when we all come together, and we are encouraged that these institutions and their students have made service a priority,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in an official announcement of the award. “Civic engagement should be a key component of every student’s education experience. Through reaching out to meet the needs of their neighbors, these students are deepening their impact, strengthening our democracy and ultimately preparing themselves to be successful citizens.”